Get Real with Doug Robinson: Should I Move Over the Holidays?

Should I Move Over the Holidays?

Okay, you sold your house. When’s the best time to set your closing date? Your first inclination might be to go over the holidays, since the kids are out of school, you’ve got some vacation time, and why not? Your second inclination, the one you should go with, says nope, wait until after the first of the year. Granted, this year is different; you’ve all been home working and learning for months on end and frankly, you need a change of scenery. The sooner the better. Still, waiting a couple of weeks could be the better call in the long run.

One thing before we go into all the reasons to stay put through the New Year–while COVID-19 is the bogeyman in the shadows, just this year, you might want to avoid travel and being around new people as much as possible.

Title Work and Contracts

Although most folks that work in the Real Estate business work 24/7, the holidays always result in short work weeks and title companies are having to put in extra effort in a Real Estate market that is booming in Saline County. Title work takes time and accuracy.

Movers

Yes, moving companies do work during the holidays, but their teams also take time off. In the best of times, you must book your movers several weeks in advance; from late November through early January they are working with a smaller staff, just like everybody else. So, wait until everybody is back on the job to schedule your trek. If you are dead set on moving in late December, make sure to get it on your professional mover’s schedule sooner than later.

Hotels

Families will travel over the holidays this year, no matter what the CDC says. But families who might ordinarily fly are opting to drive this year–airlines have severely curtailed flights, making flying anywhere a challenge. Driving means more time on the road and overnights on the road, so expect hotels to be booked. Hotels along interstates and busy highways are busier than you might think over the holidays anyway, which means the nightly rates skyrocket. Unless you’ve already locked in your booking, expect to pay a premium for rooms right by ice machines and elevators.

Winter Weather

The way 2020 is going, there may well be hurricanes in the gulf and blizzards in Arkansas competing for the Weather Channel’s attention. Snow and ice are always a threat during the winter months, and you need a Plan B in case a storm comes your way while you’re in the middle of moving. During the holidays you’re running on heightened emotions and adrenaline even when you’re not moving, so why would you pile on the stress of a move? The last thing you need is for the stockings that you had planned to hang by your new chimney with care to be held up by a freak ice storm, so stay put, hang the stockings, and deal with the boxes later.

Enjoy Your Holidays!

Finally, since this is your last Christmas in your old home, take the time to enjoy it. Decorate your house as usual, bake the cookies and the turkey, and do all the things that are your traditions. The holidays are rife with nostalgia, anyway, so don’t sweep all those feelings under the rug just because you’re moving. I wouldn’t recommend wallowing in every single memory (this is where the tree fell off the roof of the car), but definitely give yourself and your family the space to stroll down memory lane as much as they like. Spend time with friends, hang your stockings, and when it’s all over, pack up like you always do.

Here’s a bonus–this is your chance to throw out all your ratty old decorations and dim bulb strands–you surely don’t want to move that!

Bottom line?

Moving and the holidays are stressful. Separate your stress by putting off your move until the last bit of tinsel goes and you’ve got another year of good memories behind you. When you are ready to make your next move, start with reaching out to me and I can help with the perfect timing!

Thinking about buying or selling a home? I can help make the process easy, get in touch today!

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